Syrian Mother and her Children Cover their Faces

Beirut, LEBANON/The first thing that strikes you when you meet Sawsan and her family is how large it is and how beautiful her children are. The mother of 10 (with the 11th on the way) is from a small village in Syria. Her husband used to be a shop owner. They fled five months ago, when his shop and their home was destroyed. They lost everything, even the cows they had. To be able to come to Lebanon, they had to sell their car. The money they made is what has helped them survive until now.

Although grateful to be safe, Sawsan is increasingly becoming desperate. Her husband has not been able to find any work. None of her children go to school as they can not afford to send them. The whole family lives in one room.

“Initially we did not want to leave. Then the entire family of our neighbors was killed, and we had to leave overnight. I only managed to take two cushions with me and some clothes for the kids”. She says, remembering the horrible night they fled for their lives. May 17, 2013/UNHCR/E.Dorfman

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